As the 2025 NFL offseason approaches, some teams are starting the hiring process for new head coaches. Although the New England Patriots have not fired head coach Jerod Mayo, many fans have questioned his ability. He has only been with the team for one season, but some fans have started to question the culture he is building with the team.
The New York Jets have not hesitated to start interviewing potential head coach candidates. Notably, they reported via their X account that they had completed an interview with Mike Vrabel, a former New England Patriots player and Tennessee Titans head coach. This frustrated a large portion of the Patriots fan base and resulted in several calling out owner Robert Kraft.
Patriots Fans React to the New York Jets Interviewing Mike Vrabel
When the news came out that Mike Vrabel had been interviewed to be the next coach of the New York Jets, it did not sit well with the Patriots fan base. The Jets are a rival of the Patriots, and Vrabel is a former Patriots player. He played for the Patriots from 2001 until 2008, winning three Super Bowls as a linebacker.
Additionally, he is a former head coach, having coached the Tennessee Titans from 2018 until 2023, making three playoff appearances. The Patriots fan base reacted to this interview negatively. Notably, many directed their frustration at Robert Kraft.
“You awake, Robert?,” one fan wrote.
You awake, Robert? https://t.co/IHJ9YBw2F4
— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 3, 2025
“This sucks. Not that the Jets might hire Vrabel, but if they do, then I have to root for the Jets and hope they turn it around just to rub it in Robert’s face,” one fan commented.
Never gonna happen. I’m so discombobulated right now I’m using words I’ve never used. Change it Kraft please,” one fan added.
Never gonna happen. I’m so discomubulated right now I’m using words I’ve never used. Change it Kraft please
— Ian (@mrukpatsfan) January 3, 2025
Fans continued to show their frustration with comments on X.
“As much as I would love Vrabel as our coach unfortunately we are stuck with Mayo for another year,” one fan wrote.
As much as I would love Vrabel as our coach unfortunately we are stuck with Mayo for another year
— Ryan Malone (@Malone12R) January 4, 2025
“OMG. This would complete Kraft’s downfall. Vrabel was a Patriot and a Titan. He should not be going to the Jets. Let’s go Robert!,” one fan commented.
“Sadly (bc I was never a Mayo HC fan), Kraft will never do Mayo like that. He’s gonna give him 2 years, IMO,” one fan added.
Sadly (bc I was never a Mayo HC fan), Kraft will never do Mayo like that. He’s gonna give him 2 years, imo
— Milton (@Milton059632847) January 4, 2025
What Could Vrabel Bring to the Patriots?
Why do Patriots fans want Vrabel back in New England? Well, his success is hard to argue against. When he was with the Titans, he brought consistency and disciple.
One way to measure whether a team is overachieving is to look at betting data. If a team is covering more often than other teams, that indicates it is outperforming its public perception.
From 2021-22, the Titans covered 56% of their games, the seventh-best mark in the NFL over that span. Tennessee also covered 56% of its games during the 2019 season, when it became the sixth No. 6 seed ever to make the Conference Championship round. So, in three of Vrabel’s six seasons, the Titans significantly exceeded expectations, measured by their performance against the spread.
The Titans won on the margins, particularly when it came to penalties and turnovers. During Vrabel’s tenure, the Titans had the third-best penalty margin, committing 88 fewer penalties than their opponents from 2018-23.
In addition, Tennessee committed the fourth-fewest turnovers overall in that span. On a per-drive basis, only the Packers (led by Aaron Rodgers), Saints (led by Drew Brees for three seasons), and Seahawks (led by Russell Wilson) committed fewer turnovers than the Titans from 2018-23.
Listen up Kraft, the fans (and data) have spoken!